Thirty-two years later, it’s still a great play
posted at 2:00 pm on April 26, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Thirty-two years ago today, one of baseball’s greatest moments took place when the ball wasn’t even in play. McQ reminds us of Rick Monday’s courageous rescue of the American flag at Dodger Stadium in 1976, which we can all see again through the magic of YouTube:
I’ve written about this before at Captain’s Quarters, but the context bears repeating. In 1976, a sense of ennui had gripped the nation. In a year-long bicentennial celebration, many wondered if the economic stagnation that had lasted all decade meant that America’s best years were in the rear-view mirror. The commercialized bicentennial festivities felt forced and false. It seemed that pride in our country had dissipated into cynicism and retreat.
The unprompted, extemporaneous response to Monday’s heroics is the often untold story of that day. Over 40,000 baseball fans saw Monday risk his career by grabbing what could easily have been a fireball to rescue the American flag from a couple of asshats, and suddenly it recalled the real patriotism and passion for America that had been missing in 1976. At first in isolated pockets but soon sweeping around the stands like The Wave would later do, Americans stood up and sang “God Bless America” — not prompted by the stadium organist but fueled by love of country.
For my money, it’s the single best moment in sports. God bless Rick Monday, and God bless America.
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Comment pages: « 1 [2]
I did not know this story but Damn if I am not more proud of being a Cubs fan today!
Rick Monday is a hero!
azcop on April 27, 2008 at 8:51 PM
That was amazing.
NeoKong on April 27, 2008 at 10:41 PM
WOW!!!
ConservativePartyNow on April 28, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Go Cubbie blue! Defenders of America! :D
The only mistake Rick made was not giving those idiots a taste of his cleats.
Ed: you are right about sports fandom being stale in the US these days. That’s probably why I’ve gotten WAY more into soccer the last 20 or so years. You can and are expected to be bat ’s’ crazy and during National teams games you are once again expected to belt out the national anthem and any other number of patriotic songs for the whole 90 minutes. I suggest everyone to check it out live sometime. Everyone I have convinced to try it is a full blown convert.
I’m going to England in May to give them a taste of the stars and bars when our boys whip ‘em in their own house!
MannyT-vA on April 28, 2008 at 6:10 AM
He was with the Cubs at the time so you may continue hating the Dodgers.
He went to the Dodgers the following year once he reached the pinnacle of his greatness with the Cubs. So you may continue hating the Dodgers. :)
Woo Cubs!
MannyT-vA on April 28, 2008 at 6:18 AM
He was on the Cubs. So no matter what he did or ever will do sucks. That’s just the way it is.
LtE126 on April 28, 2008 at 8:20 AM
bravo redux!
jimmer on April 28, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Thank you Ed, for the post. I remember this, barely. But the following year, I moved closer to Dodger Stadium, they gave Tommy L the coaching job, and I discovered the modern day “church of baseball” (Wrigley is the Cathedral). Rick Monday was a Dodger then, and will always be one to me. Think it was a coincidence that he was picked up by the Dodgers? In those days, the O’Malley’s were in charge, and I bet they had their eye on Mr. Monday from that day on. Whether he could play or not…
dish on April 28, 2008 at 9:54 AM
“Wrigley is the Cathedral”
Wrigley is the world’s largest outdoor beer garden. That’s all it is. Drunken fratboys(redundant)and drunk women in tube tops, all on cellphones. Neither no jack s–t about baseball.
LtE126 on April 28, 2008 at 10:25 AM
LtE126—Maybe now, but when I was last at Wrigley, in the early 90’s, there were some drunks, but there were those everywhere. At that time, everyone knew baseball, including us women in tube tops (try wearing a bra in that humidity in mid-July in the bleachers in full sun). And speaking as a Dodger fan in their territory, they were very, very nice and (mostly) polite drunks. And I was sober, at least for two of the three games I attended :)
dish on April 28, 2008 at 10:36 AM
THANK YOU !!
THANK YOU !!
THANK YOU !!
THANK YOU !!
shooter on April 28, 2008 at 10:50 AM
GO CUBS!
Hunt035 on April 28, 2008 at 12:02 PM
And may I add “Hey Hey” and “Holy Cow”
Hunt035 on April 28, 2008 at 1:14 PM
In honor of Rick Monday…every monday should be a national holiday. Today is monday!! Happy Rick Monday.
jjcarrillo on April 28, 2008 at 5:58 PM
I love this clip. Thanks Ed.
lookhearsee on April 29, 2008 at 2:27 AM
That was awesome… wonder if any msn would replay that today? Wish we could make it a public announcement some how…show we were a nation who stood together under one banner at one time…
ThinkingForMyself on April 29, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Comment pages: « 1 [2]